Within our society there a many different groups of individuals, although everyone is at risk of abuse and maltreatment, some groups need more safeguarding than others. Vulnerable groups are at higher risk. A vulnerable adult is described as an individual who is aged 18 or over, who is in need of care and support form care services, who is experiencing, or is at risk of significant abuse or neglect and who is unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation. There are a number of vulnerable groups within society which are: the frail and elderly, the less abled and individuals with mental health problems or learning difficulties, visual or hearing impairments or with some form of disease. It is important that the promotion of …show more content…

Law is passed by authority such as, parliament, central and Welsh government. Legalisation applies to everyone, the European convention and human rights and fundamental freedom 1950 and the human rights act 1998 set out the basic rights of all humans and regardless of their condition or situation. However there are also certain vulnerable groups of individuals that benefit from particular legislation and policies. For example, the Age Discrimination Act applies to individuals such as the elderly.
The anti-discrimination act, equal pay act, sex discrimination and the age discrimination act, all play a part in the abuse that occurs as a result of discrimination.
Approximately 9 million of the world's 650 million disabled people live in the UK. According to a recent report of the Department of works and pensions even though 3.6 million of the disabled, (approximately 40% of the total disabled population) are between 19 and 59, only around a million (less than 30 % of them) are employed. (Berthoud, 2006) Compared to the existing employment rate of 76% among the non-disabled population, the figures for the disabled are significantly low and raise serious questions about British society. Despite the UK being among the first nations to sign the recent United Nations Human Rights Convention for Disabled People, the number of British adults claiming out of work disability benefits grew from 1 million in the 1970s to 2.5 million in the 1990